FUEL SAVING BY USE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH NI/FE BATTERIES

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DEM - Demonstration contracts

Objectif

To demonstrate the effectiveness, in terms of energy saving and cost, of using electric vehicles equipped with alkaline batteries (Ni/Fe) and Ni/Zn at a later stage.At present, the main problem has been nickel-iron cell overheating, leading to poor energy accumulation. A mechanical cooling system and a new battery box have been designed and subjected to wind-tunnel tests to solve this problem. A solution has been implemented on the 9 vehicles equipped with nickel-iron alkaline batteries.Until 30th of June 1987, the vehicles have run 59 382 km (52 336 km with Ni-Fe and 6 946 km with lead acid batteries).The mean daily need of the client was 20 km with lead acid battery and 37 km with Ni-Fe battery. The availability of vehicles was : 99% for lead acid and 91,8% for Ni-Fe. The mean electricity consumption on the mains was 0,85 kWh/km for lead acid and 1,51 kWh/km for Ni-Fe.The experimental vehicles are to be used by Chatellerault (France) city council. The design phase of the project entailed the construction of 10 'master' vans by Renault and the necessary equipment. After a test period the vehicles will be used by the city council for 12 months.The vehicles are equipped with regenerative power electric motors from Lucas Chloride (UK) and Ni/Fe alkaline batteries from SAFT (France). Vehicles maximum weight is 3,760 kg, maximum speed 80 km/h. Autonomy of the SAEJ cycle will be over 100 km/h and maximum payload with Ni/Fe batteries 1160 kg : with Ni/Zn batteries which are under development this would increase to 1,355 kg.The vans will travel for an average of 20-70 km/day with loads ranging between 300-500 kg. A test vehicle will be equipped with standard PB batteries for comparative purposes. Maintenance costs and energy consumption will be monitored and standard data such as AC and DC energy, water for batteries, speed and distance will be collected.